At the Oct. 20 regular board meeting, the Conroe ISD board of trustees voted to formalize the district's main priorities for the upcoming 90th Texas legislative session. Hedith Sauceda-Upshaw, assistant superintendent of governance and leadership programs, identified specific gaps where the district needs support.

Breaking it down: The top five priorities outlined for the session are:

• Employee pay and retention

• School funding buckets

• Student discipline

• Accountability subgroups

• Local school facilities impact fees

In the classroom: The district is seeking targeted funding to address several financial challenges. The state currently covers only 20-25% of school transportation costs, paying $1 per mile.

Additionally, assessing a special education student costs the district $3,000, but the state only provides a $1,000 stipend, creating a nearly $7.5 million gap. Conroe ISD also seeks more safety funding, as the $34,000 state allotment per campus does not cover the $90,000 cost to train and equip on-site officers.

Per a filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, Conroe-based steel fabrication company Stainless Structurals is constructing a new $10.5 million warehouse.

The details: According to the filing details, the new facility will be approximately 102,000 square feet to allow the company to expand operations and capacity.

Stainless Structurals provides fabricated stainless steel, carbon steel and nickel alloy products for construction and manufacturing, per the company website.

The new facility is expected to be operational by the end of 2026.

• 575 Conroe Park W., Conroe

Cirque du Soleil is scheduled to return to Houston this spring with its Mexico-inspired production LUZIA. Written and directed by Daniele Finzi Pasca in association with Brigitte Poupart, the show features acrobatics and visual storytelling as it travels through landscapes inspired by the people, places, sights and sounds of Mexico.

Key details for the upcoming production include:

• The show will run from March 20 through May 9.

• It will take place at the Sam Houston Race Park, located at 7575 North Sam Houston Pkwy West in Houston.

• Featured acts include hoop diving, Cyr wheels, trapeze and hand balancing.

• Pre-sales for Club Cirque members and waitlist individuals begin Oct. 26.

• Tickets will go on sale to the general public on Nov. 2 through the Cirque du Soleil website.